DAVID GOODWILLIE has revealed he contemplated walking away from football in the wake of sexual assault allegations.

The former Dundee United striker was charged with rape following a New Year party but was cleared during the summer due to a lack of evidence.

Goodwillie had the situation hanging over him for seven months and was taunted mercilessly by rival fans at grounds up and down the country when he was still at Tannadice.

The 22-year-old Blackburn star admitted he considered quitting as he struggled to cope with the abuse but believes the traumatic experience has helped make him a stronger person.

Goodwillie said: "To start off with it was crazy and I thought, 'I didn't want this'. I had numerous conversations with my family about it and it was hard for them to hear that about their son.

"I had loads of doubts in my head about whether this was what I wanted to do. But I soon realised they were only singing about me because I was a good player and they were trying to get at me.

"I eventually thrived on it and it was good for me as it showed I could stand up to things and had a strong mind. It helped me grow up and I realised I couldn't hide behind anybody any more."

With Kenny Miller and Craig Mackail-Smith both major injury concerns ahead of tonight's crunch Euro 2012 qualifier, Goodwillie is on standby to lead the line against Spain.

Miller is still struggling to shake off a groin strain that kept him out of Friday's 1-0 victory against Liechtenstein and is unlikely to be risked.

A late decision will also be made on Mackail-Smith, Scotland's goal hero in Vaduz at the weekend, who has been struck down by the recurrence of a back problem.

Goodwillie, whose only cap came against Lithuania at Hampden last month, admits his elevation into the Scotland set-up has taken him by surprise.

But he insists he's ready to spearhead his country's attack in Alicante and is confident he can perform the lone striker role.

He said: "I prefer playing next to someone but at Dundee United we played a 4-3-3 which was really a 4-5-1 and it worked.

"We played it for most of the season when we finished third and that prepared me for that sort of system. The call-up came a lot earlier than I ever imagined.

"Once I got my first taste of it, I realised I wanted to be involved in a lot more of these games.

"There is a lot more pressure on you to do well playing for Scotland because there are fewer games a season. Only a handful really.

"We have a good squad with a real sense of togetherness and everybody has made me feel at home. The manager shows faith in young boys and is trying to mix the old with the new."

Goodwillie is under no illusions about the difficulty of Scotland's mission this evening after getting a sneak preview of Spain winger David Silva during Blackburn's Premiership game with Manchester City a fortnight ago.

Silva ran the show as Roberto Mancini's men completed an emphatic 4-0 win, so Goodwillie knows the enormity of the task that awaits the team in the Costa Blanca - with Silva just one of the many players capable of spoiling Scotland's dream.

However, if he does get the nod, Goodwillie believes his recent £2million switch to Ewood Park will help him in his battle against Barcelona central defensive pair Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol.

Goodwillie said: "You don't realise how good and comfortable on the ball people like Silva are until you play against them. He can pick up the ball with four men around him and not lose it.

"The Premiership is a harder and more physical league. I'm still trying to adapt. Every minute I play, I appreciate.

"There is a big difference when you play teams like Manchester City because of their quality. I was supposed to be playing wide right up front but I ended tracking to right-back."